What is Democracy?
Democracy is the system of political institutions and procedures enabling the people to participate in the government of their country. It is an umbrella term for a variety of different forms of political governments, some more representative, participatory, accountable, transparent and stable than others.
Democratisation (also called democratic transition or democratization) is the process by which a political regime becomes more democratic. It includes changes in the form of government, such as a new constitution or a new type of parliament, and substantive political change moving in a more democratic direction.
There is a broad range of explanations for why and how democracies develop, ranging from economic development to historical legacies to civil society. Regardless of the exact causes, democratisation is often viewed as a process that can be sustained and improved by citizens.
Socioeconomic factors such as per capita income and educational enrolment play an important role in determining whether or not a nation will become a democracy. In general, nations that have higher levels of economic development tend to experience more democratization and to be less authoritarian over time.
Some scholars have argued that democratization can also be caused by changes in the distribution of power within the society. This is sometimes called “power-sharing,” and it has been a major factor in many democracies, such as the United States and Spain.
Similarly, the introduction of social policies such as social security and public works have been linked to increased democratization. These programs have helped the poor to gain access to certain rights, such as the right to vote.
The democratization of technology is another way in which societies are becoming more democratic. The use of computers and mobile phones allows more people to be involved in the creation of new software, apps, and other technological innovations. It also opens up access to people who otherwise would not have the necessary education or training.
It is important to note, however, that this is only a partial answer to the question of how and why democratization occurs. The success of a nation’s democratization depends on its ability to adopt and sustain the various democratic principles that are necessary for a stable government.
In order to make this happen, there must be a high level of civic engagement. This means that citizens must take a stand in support of democratic ideals and policies and help to build a more inclusive, more open society.
This civic involvement can take the form of voluntary association in which citizens are organized independent of state power. These associations are crucial to the development of a civic culture that is supportive of democracy and helps moderate cleavages in a country’s society.
These associations also foster a level of tolerance and moderation in the population that prevents escalating conflicts from involving violence. Nevertheless, some democratizers are concerned that civic participation may lead to a loss of national identity and the formation of dissenting groups.
Democratization can also be affected by the evolution of international norms and standards that promote human rights, economic prosperity, and the rule of law. These norms are widely supported by the majority of the world’s populations, and they can be used as a guide for what citizens should do to help their country to become more democratic.
Democracy is the system of political institutions and procedures enabling the people to participate in the government of their country. It is an umbrella term for a variety of different forms of political governments, some more representative, participatory, accountable, transparent and stable than others. Democratisation (also called democratic transition or democratization) is the process by which a political regime becomes more democratic. It includes changes in the form of government, such as a new constitution or a new type of parliament, and substantive political change moving in a more democratic direction. There is a broad range of explanations for why and how democracies develop, ranging from economic development to historical legacies to civil society. Regardless of the exact causes, democratisation is often viewed as a process that can be sustained and improved by citizens. Socioeconomic factors such as per capita income and educational enrolment play an important role in determining whether or not a nation will become a democracy. In general, nations that have higher levels of economic development tend to experience more democratization and to be less authoritarian over time. Some scholars have argued that democratization can also be caused by changes in the distribution of power within the society. This is sometimes called “power-sharing,” and it has been a major factor in many democracies, such as the United States and Spain. Similarly, the introduction of social policies such as social security and public works have been linked to increased democratization. These programs have helped the poor to gain access to certain rights, such as the right to vote. The democratization of technology is another way in which societies are becoming more democratic. The use of computers and mobile phones allows more people to be involved in the creation of new software, apps, and other technological innovations. It also opens up access to people who otherwise would not have the necessary education or training. It is important to note, however, that this is only a partial answer to the question of how and why democratization occurs. The success of a nation’s democratization depends on its ability to adopt and sustain the various democratic principles that are necessary for a stable government. In order to make this happen, there must be a high level of civic engagement. This means that citizens must take a stand in support of democratic ideals and policies and help to build a more inclusive, more open society. This civic involvement can take the form of voluntary association in which citizens are organized independent of state power. These associations are crucial to the development of a civic culture that is supportive of democracy and helps moderate cleavages in a country’s society. These associations also foster a level of tolerance and moderation in the population that prevents escalating conflicts from involving violence. Nevertheless, some democratizers are concerned that civic participation may lead to a loss of national identity and the formation of dissenting groups. Democratization can also be affected by the evolution of international norms and standards that promote human rights, economic prosperity, and the rule of law. These norms are widely supported by the majority of the world’s populations, and they can be used as a guide for what citizens should do to help their country to become more democratic.